For many years I was sure that Belarus was a small country. And I was wrong
Teachers, parents, friends, and journalists have always claimed that Belarus is a small country. After all, what do you call a country with a population of 9.5 million and where the train trip from Brest to Vitebsk takes only one night? Just a “small country.” It also happened that some, as a compliment, referred to it as “little Switzerland.”
The drag queens community is revitalizing Lebanese nightlife
Discrimination and aggressive attacks have plagued the Lebanese drag queens community for a long time. But it has always emerged stronger from oppression to bring a breath of fresh air.
How Belarusians quarreled over Tsikhanouskaya’s mug
What happens when one lives under severe stress for a long time but has no leverage over those who cause it? In such circumstances, one lash out at others. It is a well-known mechanism. That’s how the psyche reacts when it needs at least a little relief.
Gone are the days of youth in Lebanon
Lebanese are increasingly struggling with mental health problems due to the economic crisis that has torn the fabric of society. We are working to make ends meet at the expense of quality of life in an endless cycle of economic decline and further disappointments.
The words “Stop the war” mean nothing
It is a popular joke among Belarusian refugees and political émigrés that one must learn to articulate one’s desires properly. After all, before, we wanted vivid experiences and unforgettable journeys. But we had something different in mind than what we got. It was, as they say, a slight nuance.
We don’t need elections anymore
Elections in Belarus are pretty meaningless events. They were free only once, in 1994, when people irrationally used their right to vote and elected Alyaksandr Lukashenka as president. And he has decided that Belarusians will not have another such opportunity in the coming years.
Reconnecting with Lebanon through nature
As night fell over the forest, a gentle wind began to blow. About 30 people gathered for a hike with a company specializing in local hiking events. It was the night of the full moon, which illuminated our way.
Why do I believe that propaganda should be banned?
A few weeks ago, my mother asked me about NATO’s nuclear deterrence exercises, as Russian propaganda reported that they would take place near Russia’s border. However, the exercises, which, by the way, are routine, are taking place in northwestern Europe. My mother does not believe in the Kremlin’s propaganda, but she does have some second thoughts from time to time.
Lebanon’s care for the environment. A deception or hope for the future?
When walking the streets of Lebanese cities, it’s easy to see the diversity in architecture. There is also a distinctive novelty: solar panels on the roofs of many buildings.
Lukashenka is punishing journalists for the truth about Ukraine
Sitting on two chairs at once is Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s favorite game. If you try to determine his position based on his statements, you will not succeed. However, there is a way to figure out which side he is on in any given conflict.
Why I don’t mourn Mikhail Gorbachev
When Mikhail Gorbachev, the first and last president of the USSR, died, social networks, as happens in such cases, were filled with obituaries and words about how terrible his death was. These obituaries were often entirely detached from reality. They made me think that someone might write on the spur of the moment, “Why do the best ones pass away so early?” even though Gorbachev died at 91.
Losing the support of the people, Erdogan has tied his hopes to nationalism
As Turkey’s economic crisis deepens and supports in the polls wanes, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been left with no choice but to foment nationalist sentiment in hopes of another electoral victory. Therefore, another crisis has erupted in Turkey’s relations with Greece.
About how we lose each other
I left Belarus in December 2020. Then, it seemed that the revolution would soon prevail, and we would all be able to come home. But the harsher the repression in Belarus becomes, the more the rift between those who left and settled in new places and those who chose to stay grows.
Institutional centralization. Belarusian center and periphery
Belarus’ capital is home to almost all of the country’s major institutions: the largest universities, specialized medical centers, the most important museums and theaters. It is also the seat of an extremely centralized government. How does Belarusian ‘institutional centralization’ affect other regions of the country?
Belarusian IT community: a new political force and a victim of Lukashenka’s regime persecution
During the 2020 presidential election in Belarus, thousands of IT workers joined the political life of the country. They developed applications for fair vote counting, took part in protests, and made donations to support victims of repressions. But after a harsh crackdown on protesters, authorities have targeted the IT community.
Will Ukraine become a leader in the global cryptocurrency market?
Ukraine is on its way to set up rules for digital currencies. The government hopes that new legislation will attract foreign investments and bring revenue to the budget.
Neom City-state: Saudi Arabia’s futuristic project threatens the existance of one of the coutry’s oldest tribes
Saudi Arabia plans to build a futuristic business zone NEOM along the Red Sea coast and the first major step will be to create a zero-carbon city called The Line. The investment is part of the Vision 2030 program which aims to diversify the country’s revenues and strengthen its economy so that in the future Saudi Arabia can become a “global investment powerhouse”.
Israel-Hamas war adds to the trauma of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon
Education in limbo. Syrian children lose their chance for a brighter future
Living in permanent insecurity. The reality of the LGBTQ community in Lebanon
Killings of women in the Middle East. How to stop the wave of violence?
The devastating earthquake in Turkey. Erdogan and his party come under harsh criticism
Erdogan’s new plan. Will Turkey send all refugees back to Syria?
Broken childhood, shattered future. How repressions in Belarus affect children of political prisoners
Echoes of the haunting past. Fear and the possibility of another war in Lebanon
Combating cigarette smuggling from Belarus. A serious challenge for European Union
History repeats itself. Vilnius as the second capital of Belarusians
The art scene in Lebanon. Resilience, persistence, and healing
The Lukashenka regime ramps up terror campaign against the civil society
United in pain. Lebanese mobilized to help Syrians after the earthquake
Time of truth. Many Belarusians will never return from exile
E-commerce. A new lifeline for Lebanon’s economy
Another casualty of war. Who is saving Syrian cultural heritage from destruction and looting?
How did a Soviet-era tank monument stir up controversy in Estonia?
Liberation of art in Mosul. A taste of freedom after 25 years of oppression
Beyond extremism, exclusion, and suffering. Syrian civil society ahead of a major test
Turkish TV series phenomenon. The charm of soft power and the new Ottoman dream
Belarus struggles with excessive alcohol consumption
Dollarization of economy as remedy for Lebanon’s woes
Internal tensions divide Belarus. Past and present written in two different languages
Ukraine struggles with the blackout. How to adapt to the new, fragile reality?
Media activists in a minefield. How is the civil war transforming journalism in Syria?
The cold is coming. Volunteers expect a new wave of Ukrainian refugees
Silent heroes stand up for stray dogs and cats in Belarus
Between Georgia and Armenia. Families mourn their fathers and sons after the Nagorno-Karabakh war
State security first. How did the Russian invasion of Ukraine change Latvia’s immigration policy?
Shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainians. Chechens on another battlefield against Russia
Turkey blames Kurdish militants for Istanbul bombing
Massive protests sweep through Iran. What will the regime do to hold on to power?
Confronting true darkness in Kyiv
The end of the Michel Aoun era and the future of the Lebanese presidency
Transit hub for refugees in Latvia. Volunteers help Ukrainians on their way to the West
The ghost of hunger looms over the land of wheat
On the verge of an anti-government revolt. What is behind the protests in Dagestan?
Why does the Kurdistan Workers’ Party continue its armed struggle?
If war comes tomorrow. How do Latvians live next to Russia? 
Do Belarusians support Ukraine?
 The Turkey-Libya deal raises the stakes in the game for the Mediterranean region
A backpack full of memories. Critical challenges to migrants’ cultural identity
Window to the world. The triumphs and troubles of Telegram in Belarus
Erdogan’s policy puts Turkey at risk of economic collapse
Belarusian dystopia. How is the regime cracking down on journalists?
Putin uses food supplies to blackmail the world. How does Ukraine respond to this threat?
The game of northern Syria. Will Erdogan slam the NATO door on Sweden and Finland to achieve his goal?
What does the future hold for Lebanon’s Sunni community?
How Syria’s lost generation struggles to keep dreams alive
Lukashenka regime’s ideology demolishes the foundations of the education system
Erdogan’s electoral dilemma. Will refugees be sent back to Syria?
Struggling to preserve collective memory in Beirut’s port silos
Turkey’s diplomatic U-turn. Will Ankara achieve its strategic goals?
Between state control and rebellion. Sport in Belarus on a downward spiral
Green opportunity for Lebanon. How can the eco-generation make a real difference?
The Druze in Syria: A tale of everlasting hopes and enduring fears
Children of ‘unknown fathers’. The uncertain fate of the stateless in Syria
The complexities of neo-Ottoman geopolitics. Why is Turkey trying so hard to maintain its foothold in Libya?
Lebanon’s double crisis. Economy and higher education put to the ultimate test
Belarusian Rail War. Partisans on the cyber front line
What it was like to work for Lukashenka for 6 years. Behind the scenes of the Belarusian regime
Climate change in Belarus. What is the strategy for the coming years?
Could the war contribute to Syrian women’s liberation?
Waiting for the Syrian Spring to come
In the shadow of the terrorist caliphate. The Islamic State returns to the battlefield
The trail of the desperate. How Kurds risk their lives to get to the West
The campaign of repression continues. Lukashenka’s regime destroys the third sector
Will Belarusian traditional culture survive?
Government statistics and ‘dead souls’. Why is the unemployment rate in Belarus so low?
The difficult art of keeping balance. Turkey faces a hard choice
Kazakh lesson for Lukashenka
The stigma of terrorism. Wives and children of the Islamic State
The campaign of disinformation and insults. How Belarusian propaganda defames Ukraine’s image
Will Russia invade Ukraine and what can Kyiv do?
Desperate fight for Afghan women’s rights
Student protest at Bogazici University. Huge challenge for Erdogan
The Only Hope is to Get Back Home
Money and the promise of land. Reward from the Taliban for families of suicide bombers
Lukashenka’s hybrid war. Migration crisis on the EU-Belarus border escalates
Who is Volha Harbunova and why her arrest is a disaster for Belarusian women
The dispute over Lukashenka’s nuclear power plant. Another chapter of Russia’s geopolitical game
Panjshir Valley: A new reality under the Taliban rule
How Covid-19 is changing Japanese corporate culture
Will war games help Ukraine win the conflict with Russia?
Risky political game. What will be Turkey’s role in Afghanistan?
44 days of war. How did the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict unite Javakhians?
How the covid-19 pandemic is slowing the progress in reducing child marriage all over the world
Who Will Solve the Ecological Issues of South-East Asia?
And What Now? Nagorno-Karabakh 2020 War and the Aftermath
Highlights
Israel-Hamas war adds to the trauma of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon
Education in limbo. Syrian children lose their chance for a brighter future
Living in permanent insecurity. The reality of the LGBTQ community in Lebanon
Killings of women in the Middle East. How to stop the wave of violence?
The devastating earthquake in Turkey. Erdogan and his party come under harsh criticism
Erdogan’s new plan. Will Turkey send all refugees back to Syria?
Broken childhood, shattered future. How repressions in Belarus affect children of political prisoners
Articles
Echoes of the haunting past. Fear and the possibility of another war in Lebanon
Combating cigarette smuggling from Belarus. A serious challenge for European Union
History repeats itself. Vilnius as the second capital of Belarusians
The art scene in Lebanon. Resilience, persistence, and healing
The Lukashenka regime ramps up terror campaign against the civil society
United in pain. Lebanese mobilized to help Syrians after the earthquake
Time of truth. Many Belarusians will never return from exile
E-commerce. A new lifeline for Lebanon’s economy
Another casualty of war. Who is saving Syrian cultural heritage from destruction and looting?
How did a Soviet-era tank monument stir up controversy in Estonia?
Liberation of art in Mosul. A taste of freedom after 25 years of oppression
Beyond extremism, exclusion, and suffering. Syrian civil society ahead of a major test
Turkish TV series phenomenon. The charm of soft power and the new Ottoman dream
Belarus struggles with excessive alcohol consumption
Dollarization of economy as remedy for Lebanon’s woes
Internal tensions divide Belarus. Past and present written in two different languages
Ukraine struggles with the blackout. How to adapt to the new, fragile reality?
Media activists in a minefield. How is the civil war transforming journalism in Syria?
The cold is coming. Volunteers expect a new wave of Ukrainian refugees
Silent heroes stand up for stray dogs and cats in Belarus
Between Georgia and Armenia. Families mourn their fathers and sons after the Nagorno-Karabakh war
State security first. How did the Russian invasion of Ukraine change Latvia’s immigration policy?
Shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainians. Chechens on another battlefield against Russia
Turkey blames Kurdish militants for Istanbul bombing
Massive protests sweep through Iran. What will the regime do to hold on to power?
Confronting true darkness in Kyiv
The end of the Michel Aoun era and the future of the Lebanese presidency
Transit hub for refugees in Latvia. Volunteers help Ukrainians on their way to the West
The ghost of hunger looms over the land of wheat
On the verge of an anti-government revolt. What is behind the protests in Dagestan?
Why does the Kurdistan Workers’ Party continue its armed struggle?
If war comes tomorrow. How do Latvians live next to Russia? 
Do Belarusians support Ukraine?
 The Turkey-Libya deal raises the stakes in the game for the Mediterranean region
A backpack full of memories. Critical challenges to migrants’ cultural identity
Window to the world. The triumphs and troubles of Telegram in Belarus
Erdogan’s policy puts Turkey at risk of economic collapse
Belarusian dystopia. How is the regime cracking down on journalists?
Putin uses food supplies to blackmail the world. How does Ukraine respond to this threat?
The game of northern Syria. Will Erdogan slam the NATO door on Sweden and Finland to achieve his goal?
What does the future hold for Lebanon’s Sunni community?
How Syria’s lost generation struggles to keep dreams alive
Lukashenka regime’s ideology demolishes the foundations of the education system
Erdogan’s electoral dilemma. Will refugees be sent back to Syria?
Struggling to preserve collective memory in Beirut’s port silos
Turkey’s diplomatic U-turn. Will Ankara achieve its strategic goals?
Between state control and rebellion. Sport in Belarus on a downward spiral
Green opportunity for Lebanon. How can the eco-generation make a real difference?
The Druze in Syria: A tale of everlasting hopes and enduring fears
Children of ‘unknown fathers’. The uncertain fate of the stateless in Syria
The complexities of neo-Ottoman geopolitics. Why is Turkey trying so hard to maintain its foothold in Libya?
Lebanon’s double crisis. Economy and higher education put to the ultimate test
Belarusian Rail War. Partisans on the cyber front line
What it was like to work for Lukashenka for 6 years. Behind the scenes of the Belarusian regime
Climate change in Belarus. What is the strategy for the coming years?
Could the war contribute to Syrian women’s liberation?
Waiting for the Syrian Spring to come
In the shadow of the terrorist caliphate. The Islamic State returns to the battlefield
The trail of the desperate. How Kurds risk their lives to get to the West
The campaign of repression continues. Lukashenka’s regime destroys the third sector
Will Belarusian traditional culture survive?
Government statistics and ‘dead souls’. Why is the unemployment rate in Belarus so low?
The difficult art of keeping balance. Turkey faces a hard choice
Kazakh lesson for Lukashenka
The stigma of terrorism. Wives and children of the Islamic State
The campaign of disinformation and insults. How Belarusian propaganda defames Ukraine’s image
Will Russia invade Ukraine and what can Kyiv do?
Desperate fight for Afghan women’s rights
Student protest at Bogazici University. Huge challenge for Erdogan
The Only Hope is to Get Back Home
Money and the promise of land. Reward from the Taliban for families of suicide bombers
Lukashenka’s hybrid war. Migration crisis on the EU-Belarus border escalates
Who is Volha Harbunova and why her arrest is a disaster for Belarusian women
The dispute over Lukashenka’s nuclear power plant. Another chapter of Russia’s geopolitical game
Panjshir Valley: A new reality under the Taliban rule
How Covid-19 is changing Japanese corporate culture
Will war games help Ukraine win the conflict with Russia?
Risky political game. What will be Turkey’s role in Afghanistan?
44 days of war. How did the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict unite Javakhians?
How the covid-19 pandemic is slowing the progress in reducing child marriage all over the world
Who Will Solve the Ecological Issues of South-East Asia?
And What Now? Nagorno-Karabakh 2020 War and the Aftermath
Opinions
For many years I was sure that Belarus was a small country. And I was wrong
Teachers, parents, friends, and journalists have always claimed that Belarus is a small country. After all, what do you call a country with a population of 9.5 million and where the train trip from Brest to Vitebsk takes only one night? Just a “small country.” It also happened that some, as a compliment, referred to it as “little Switzerland.”
The drag queens community is revitalizing Lebanese nightlife
Discrimination and aggressive attacks have plagued the Lebanese drag queens community for a long time. But it has always emerged stronger from oppression to bring a breath of fresh air.
How Belarusians quarreled over Tsikhanouskaya’s mug
What happens when one lives under severe stress for a long time but has no leverage over those who cause it? In such circumstances, one lash out at others. It is a well-known mechanism. That’s how the psyche reacts when it needs at least a little relief.
Gone are the days of youth in Lebanon
Lebanese are increasingly struggling with mental health problems due to the economic crisis that has torn the fabric of society. We are working to make ends meet at the expense of quality of life in an endless cycle of economic decline and further disappointments.
The words “Stop the war” mean nothing
It is a popular joke among Belarusian refugees and political émigrés that one must learn to articulate one’s desires properly. After all, before, we wanted vivid experiences and unforgettable journeys. But we had something different in mind than what we got. It was, as they say, a slight nuance.
We don’t need elections anymore
Elections in Belarus are pretty meaningless events. They were free only once, in 1994, when people irrationally used their right to vote and elected Alyaksandr Lukashenka as president. And he has decided that Belarusians will not have another such opportunity in the coming years.
Reconnecting with Lebanon through nature
As night fell over the forest, a gentle wind began to blow. About 30 people gathered for a hike with a company specializing in local hiking events. It was the night of the full moon, which illuminated our way.
Why do I believe that propaganda should be banned?
A few weeks ago, my mother asked me about NATO’s nuclear deterrence exercises, as Russian propaganda reported that they would take place near Russia’s border. However, the exercises, which, by the way, are routine, are taking place in northwestern Europe. My mother does not believe in the Kremlin’s propaganda, but she does have some second thoughts from time to time.
Lebanon’s care for the environment. A deception or hope for the future?
When walking the streets of Lebanese cities, it’s easy to see the diversity in architecture. There is also a distinctive novelty: solar panels on the roofs of many buildings.
Lukashenka is punishing journalists for the truth about Ukraine
Sitting on two chairs at once is Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s favorite game. If you try to determine his position based on his statements, you will not succeed. However, there is a way to figure out which side he is on in any given conflict.
Why I don’t mourn Mikhail Gorbachev
When Mikhail Gorbachev, the first and last president of the USSR, died, social networks, as happens in such cases, were filled with obituaries and words about how terrible his death was. These obituaries were often entirely detached from reality. They made me think that someone might write on the spur of the moment, “Why do the best ones pass away so early?” even though Gorbachev died at 91.
Losing the support of the people, Erdogan has tied his hopes to nationalism
As Turkey’s economic crisis deepens and supports in the polls wanes, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been left with no choice but to foment nationalist sentiment in hopes of another electoral victory. Therefore, another crisis has erupted in Turkey’s relations with Greece.
About how we lose each other
I left Belarus in December 2020. Then, it seemed that the revolution would soon prevail, and we would all be able to come home. But the harsher the repression in Belarus becomes, the more the rift between those who left and settled in new places and those who chose to stay grows.
Institutional centralization. Belarusian center and periphery
Belarus’ capital is home to almost all of the country’s major institutions: the largest universities, specialized medical centers, the most important museums and theaters. It is also the seat of an extremely centralized government. How does Belarusian ‘institutional centralization’ affect other regions of the country?
Belarusian IT community: a new political force and a victim of Lukashenka’s regime persecution
During the 2020 presidential election in Belarus, thousands of IT workers joined the political life of the country. They developed applications for fair vote counting, took part in protests, and made donations to support victims of repressions. But after a harsh crackdown on protesters, authorities have targeted the IT community.
Will Ukraine become a leader in the global cryptocurrency market?
Ukraine is on its way to set up rules for digital currencies. The government hopes that new legislation will attract foreign investments and bring revenue to the budget.
Neom City-state: Saudi Arabia’s futuristic project threatens the existance of one of the coutry’s oldest tribes
Saudi Arabia plans to build a futuristic business zone NEOM along the Red Sea coast and the first major step will be to create a zero-carbon city called The Line. The investment is part of the Vision 2030 program which aims to diversify the country’s revenues and strengthen its economy so that in the future Saudi Arabia can become a “global investment powerhouse”.